5 Super Athletes With Ties To Fenton

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the Fenton area, these values have shaped some truly remarkable athletes from different eras, whose accomplishments continue to inspire.

Patch has teamed up with T-Mobile to spotlight five standout athletes whose achievements have left a lasting mark on our community. While this list is just a snapshot, there are countless others who have helped shape the rich sports culture in our area.

1. Gracie Olsen (Swimming)

Widely regarded as one of the greatest swimmers in Flint-area history, Fenton’s own Gracie Olsen claimed six individual state championships over her standout high school career. She repeatedly dominated events like the 200-yard individual medley and 100-yard butterfly, anchoring the 400-yard freestyle relay that propelled Fenton to its best-ever finish — fourth place — at the Division 2 state meet. Olsen’s high-level performances earned her a spot at Indiana University, continuing a legacy of excellence that began in her hometown pool.

2. Marianne Martin (Cycling)

A Fenton native who pedaled her way into cycling lore, Marianne Martin famously became the first American — male or female — to win the Tour de France when she captured the women’s race in 1984. Competing in an era considered by many to be the “golden age” of road racing, Martin excelled on grueling climbs and donned the yellow jersey alongside some of the biggest names in the sport.

3. Ron Rolston (Ice Hockey)

Hailing from Fenton, Ron Rolston built a distinguished career as both a college and professional hockey coach. After playing at Michigan Tech, he spent time on multiple NCAA staffs, winning two national championships with Lake Superior State. Rolston also led the U.S. National Team Development Program to multiple international gold medals before coaching the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres and AHL’s Rochester Americans. Today, he continues to shape the game as an Associate Head Coach at Providence College in Rhode Island.

4. Kenny Allen (Football)

A Fenton High School graduate and one of the top-ranked prep kickers in the nation, Kenny Allen made his mark at the University of Michigan, serving as both the Wolverines’ placekicker and punter during the 2015 and 2016 seasons. Renowned for his consistency under pressure, Allen provided critical field goals and booming punts that often shifted momentum. He set multiple career highs, including scoring 14 points against UCF (three field goals and five PATs) and averaging 46.6 yards on seven punts in a single game at Wisconsin.

5. JZ Zaher (Basketball)

Born in Fenton, Joseph Raji “JZ” Zaher began his basketball career at Flint Powers Catholic before playing collegiately at Eastern Michigan and later Bowling Green. A guard known for his sharpshooting, Zaher gained attention by declaring for the 2024 NBA Draft—an ambitious move for a small-town standout. Though undrafted, he continued his pursuit of the professional game, inspiring Fenton-area hoops fans by showcasing the possibility of making it from mid-Michigan gyms to higher-level basketball.

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.